Dnevni avaz: The Commissioner of the European Union for Enlargement, Olli Rehn is known as talker who is ready to say publically what he thinks, by neglecting the common diplomatic forms.
A lot of expectations
He was acting this way during the interview with “Dnevni avaz”, and even more direct and open (some say tempered) performance he had during several meetings with the authorities of BiH. This was a reason why our conversation with him in “Radon Plaza” started in that style.
Is BiH falling apart?
– I do not think that is what is happening. It is very important to quickly overcome the actual political suspense. A broad consensus on the fundaments of the European perspective of BiH must be achieved. Your country has achieved a good success during the process of negotiations on the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU, and when this document was signed. By that act, BiH leaders have obligated themselves to continue that trend in future. I am disappointed because it came to suspense and because we are testifiers of a negative rhetoric. I expect that the BiH leaders will now focus themselves on the achievement of the stated EU goals and implement reforms which are asked from them by the citizens.
How to achieve that? You constantly send the same messages, but the situation in BiH is less and less stable?
-That question, you need to ask the BiH leaders primarily.
Does the EU understand what is really happening in BiH?
– I do not know. What is happening in BiH?
The more and more is being talked about falling apart of the country. Have you seen the text from the “Financial Times”? That paper warns rightly to that problem and underlines the fact that the EU is not actually unified when speaking of what to do.
There is no return to nationalism
-Croatia progresses pretty well in the process of technical negotiations and I hope that we will finish that before the end if next year. Of course, under the condition that Croatia becomes able to its part of the job. When speaking of other countries of this region, they generally, record a good progress in the process of fulfilling the stated tasks.
I believe that the next year will be good for the West Balkans and that it will be the year marked by good news on the progress in this area. Of course, I hope that BiH will be a part of that progress and the waves which we expect.
-We are, of course, very worried because of the current political situation in BiH. That is why I appealed on the higher leaders and I encourage them to achieve the consensus when the European paths, reforms and democratic regulations of political life are in question. Citizens of BiH ask from their leaders to ensure them a normal life with a perspective.
Change of the Constitution
What do the BiH leaders say to you? Will they listen and accept your suggestions which you are giving them?
-We will see. Of course, I believe that the statements of the EU are being seriously taken. Because if we do not only talk in our name, or only the name of the European Commission, then I am sure, in the name of majority, if not of all members of the Union. The EU is in general very worried with political development of the situation in BiH!
Since you are very worried, what have you said, what does the EU expect will happen in BiH?
-We expect that BiH leaders are respecting the state institutions and the Dayton Agreement, that the reforms which would ensure BiH to arrive and speak by one voice and that it sees its future in the EU, will be undertaken.
I also expect that it will create such law basis, on which BiH will become a functional country which will be a reliable partner in the EU.
And what if this does not happen?
– BiH leaders have a very clear choice – or they can continue freely argue among themselves, by which all the processes will suspense, and BiH will suspense in the European process, or they will be faced by the challenges, implement the reform and ensure a stable way towards the EU.
What does it mean to suspense in the European process? Will the door of the EU close for BiH?
– We will not close the door for BiH. But, if your country is not able to fulfill the conditions placed in front of it, it cannot be a part of the EU. We cannot ensure to ourselves to have a signatory country which suffers so much because of political blockades and suspense, as it has been a case with BiH. If this happens, then the EU would be blocked as well. So, there is no chance that such BiH becomes a member of the EU!
I detected political pessimism
The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn has at the yesterday’s meeting with the members of the Presidency of BiH highlighted the importance of respecting the Dayton Agreement and expressed dissatisfaction by the fact that the leaders of BiH have lately spent “more time on a negative rhetoric”, than on leading BiH towards Europe and the European Union.
– In Sarajevo I have detected political pessimism. I think that I have enough reasons for concern when speaking of the orientation of BiH – has been said to the journalists by Rehn after the meeting, who added that this concern is being shared by the countries members of the EU, reports Fena.
The presiding of the Presidency of BiH, Haris Silajdžić, has criticized Rehn because of avoiding the identification of a direct criminal.
– I have asked Rehn to say who and what blocks BiH and who has nationalistic statements and did not get the answer. My nightmare must be such relation towards BiH. Such relation must stop – Silajdžić has said.
Rehn has, replying to Silajdžić said, that “the disagreement of politicians in BiH is an internal thing of BiH, and that the EU will not get into the internal things of BiH”.
Stability of the region has been preserved
-The status quo on Kosovo has been unsustainable. We have questioned all possible options to find a solution acceptable for all, but have not succeeded. The EU was unfortunately forced to quicken the process towards the end, on the basis of the Ahtisaari’s plan. Stability of Kosovo and the region has been preserved after that and as such it should be, and it will be such in the future. This whole region has a very clear and visible perspective and nobody should let themselves to return to nationalistic past.
The EU prepares the new, much more active strategy for BiH. A new approach of the EU towards BiH is questionable, is this correct?
– BiH leaders are those who need to find strengths to renovate the spirit of join cooperation and solving the problems. That is what important is!
How realistic is the fear that the situation 18 years ago repeats, when the EU did not understand what was really happening on Balkans, or it finally did not want to understand?
I expect the achievements
– I can say that with the BiH leaders, including the presiding Silajdžić, I had a direct and open conversation. I was very honest and expect that conversation which I led with the BiH leaders will bring us to concrete achievements.
– I come from the country which had a similar experience. During the “Winter War” my homeland – Finland – did not get the assistance from the West and it became a victim of the aggression of the Soviet Union. We have paid that by a big number of victims and by a huge disappointment.
But, you cannot be constantly desperate and disappointed. You must go forward and start to build your own future by yourselves. Then the EU will help you. But, the precondition for that is a certain level of consensus when the EU goals and the perspective of membership in the EU are in question, but also respecting democratic procedures and regulations in BiH.